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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Success...with an Asterisk
Post Info TOPIC: Success...with an Asterisk
Sunrise747


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RE: Success...with an Asterisk
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Thanks all!  



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Geno 1B Relapser 2001. Started Incivek 12-16-11. 57 yr old male.  Last biopsy 2000 -stage 3 fibrosis. UND Wk4, 12, 18, 26.  Did 34 weeks.  Still UND at 12-wks post.
Sed3


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Carl - I've been through a lot of **** in life, and can relate to how you think about Hep C. But I spent many years consciously figuring out how to be happier/have less stress/live my life. I'm not talking new age stuff, or crazy therapy - just living my life as comfortably as I can.

So my attitude toward the Hep C is "so what". I have this disease, I need a year of treatment, life goes on. I'm not concerned with what anyone else thinks, really! I'm the one who is sick; why should I care about how any else views it?

It's a trite expression, but it is what it is. And I'm doing what I need to do.

Having said all that, treatment sucks. I have all the usual side effects, had to postpone my wedding, etc. So I do complain a lot about that. But practically, it's a necessary bump in the road. Hell, my own stupidity got me here! And it could have been a lot worse...

So do what you need to do, both for your disease and to make yourself happy.

__________________

Type 1B - Unknown for 30 years, diagnosed September 2011, started treatment February 2012

8 weeks Incivik - stopped early due to rash.

Continuing Pegasys and Ribavirin until January 2013 - 48 weeks

Undetectable from week 4 --> present
hrsetrdr


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Great news to hear, Carl! The sweet taste of success is sweeter than no other! A day to be proud of.      wootj.gif



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"hrsetrdr"=Tim

Treatment halted on Aug.8,2012 due to vision problem.  6 month post tx labs

Aug.2013 SVR

Be strong when you are weak, brave when you are scared, and humble when you are victorious.
- Unknown

 

 
Sunrise747


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Thanks all for your support and comments!  May I soon very in very company with all of you.



__________________

Geno 1B Relapser 2001. Started Incivek 12-16-11. 57 yr old male.  Last biopsy 2000 -stage 3 fibrosis. UND Wk4, 12, 18, 26.  Did 34 weeks.  Still UND at 12-wks post.
jrc


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If und 12 weeks post tx per my dr=SVR



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Geno 1 A Started Tx w/ Victrelis  8-3-11, Viral Load  21.2 Million,  Und Weeks 4 Through 28 ,End Of Tx 2-15-2012 !SVR
Bloomster


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Congratulations on your results.  Reading your post really drew me in.  It is a deep, dark journey at times, but it's good to keep the hope alive. 

All the very best over the next few months.



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My husband had genotype 1a, 46yo, started triple therapy (peg/rib/vic) 23rd July 2012, VL prior to treatment 14 million, UNDET 12, 24 weeks, EOT 24th June 2013, EOT +1.5 weeks UNDET, EOT +12 weeks & EOT +27 weeks UNDET; SVR January 2014
Phil G


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Big congrats on the results. I can relate to most of what you wrote. The feeling for me was great relief, not so much elation.



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Geno 1A, VL 1.9 mm, SOT 12/2/11 - Pegintron/Ribavirin/Victrelis, UND since wk 8, EOT 6/15/12 (28 wks), SVR 11/30/12
mallani


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Hi Carl, congratz on your results. Must be a great relief after the lowered Riba. and the reduced Rx length. I enjoyed reading your post, as it summarises how we all get to feel with this disease and Rx. As I'm doing 48 weeks and really struggling, I was interested in your Rx length. Up to my last visit, my doc. was definite about 48 weeks for me, but he is now saying there is discussion about whether this is too long, particularly with Victrelis ( for patients with an eRVR or sEVR).

Just one more VL to go, then enjoy a Rx and HCV-free lifesmile



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Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
JoAnneh


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Awesome news! Hope I hear that same results and like u
I will be scared to celebrate too much till that 24 week post.
Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing
Again so happy for good news
JoAnne

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JoAnne

Genotype 1a, Triple therapy w/Invicek started May 19, 2012

DET 4 wk. UND 2,6,12,24 48 treatment. Achieved SVR 2013!
Sunrise747


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I took my 12-week post-treatment blood test last Friday (Oct 26).  I was tempted to tell the doctor not to give me the results on the basis that, emotionally, no news would be better than bad news.  I was afraid to even hope for success, lest I be so very disappointed yet again. 

What I dislike most about Hep-C is not this symptom or that (because I have none) but simply thinking about it.  Dating, social-stigma, worrying family members about my health, me worrying about my health, scheduling the next bloodtest, liver scan, doctors appointment, etc.  Its like a constant low-grade background buzz that accompanies my otherwise normal and healthy life.  I am happiest when I have completely forgotten about it and was pretty close to that zone during the past three months:  Treatment was over and nobody told me it didnt work (as happened last time).

She called this morning to say I am still undetectable.  Great news of course but, oddly, I felt no real elation.  I am still sorting through why.  One reason might be that the industry standard is the 24-week post-treatment test rather than the 12 though its rare to relapse after that 3-month milestone.  More likely its because ridding my body of the virus is only a giant step on a life-long Hep-C sponsored journey.  Seconds later the conversation with my doctor turned to scheduling a CT scan of my liver.  A sobering reminder that we rid the virus but (for most of us) never completely rid the worry.  Or the accompanying low-grade background buzz. 

Dont get me wrong.  On some level I am thrilled to be clear.  This wonderful forum (bless all of you!) is a testament to how hard we all struggle to achieve that lofty goal.   For me, so far, hep-C is more a mental condition than a disease.  Ive no doubt many with cancer, MS or a host of other real diseases would be more than happy to trade places with me because they worry AND suffer every day.  And it seldom ends for them in 12, 24 or 48 weeks.   So I will proudly mark this day as one I have dreamed about for nearly twenty years.  And move on to worrying about the next phase.  Is that human nature or just my nature?

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For those of you looking for reassuring stats (as I always am!), here are a few:  After nine weeks on Incivek my Riba dose was lowered from 1200 to 600mg due to anemia and remained at that level for the duration of treatment.  Against my doctors recommendation I only did 34 weeks due to a job commitment.  I was UND for the duration of treatment but am a relapser (combo in 2001) and likely have cirrhosis so 48 was prescribed.  So far it appears neither the lowered Riba dose nor the shortened treatment window harmed my success.  But everyone is different!



__________________

Geno 1B Relapser 2001. Started Incivek 12-16-11. 57 yr old male.  Last biopsy 2000 -stage 3 fibrosis. UND Wk4, 12, 18, 26.  Did 34 weeks.  Still UND at 12-wks post.
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